For He Himself is Our Peace

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:14-22 NKJV

The law separates people who think they keep the law and those who know they don’t. The law was meant to show everyone their sinfulness. Some used the law to show themselves better than others because they didn’t break certain laws. For others the law caused hopelessness because they could not keep it 100% of the time. The law drew a line between the people. It separated. It caused division, not unity in awareness of sin.

Enter Jesus Christ. Enough of the law. The people can’t keep it, so He fulfilled all the law for us. Now peace is possible. All people have access to God through Jesus Christ. Not two ways to God, only one way through Christ Jesus. John 14:6 NKJV says “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Now we are no longer separated from others and from God. We are fellow citizens with the saints. We belong to the household of God. We are being fit together as a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. For Jesus is our peace. He is the ultimate Peacemaker. In Him we have peace. In Him we have assess to God. In Him we have forgiveness of sin. In Him we have life abundantly.

Lord Jesus we thank you for all you do for us. Thank you for the peace beyond our understanding. Thank you for life forever more. In your precious name we pray. Amen.

About the author

Elizabeth Marks has a heart to encourage and equip Christians so they may better reflect Christ in their areas of influence. She is author of Think On It Bible Devotions and founder of Think On It Bible Ministries providing Bible Devotions and Your Discovery Inductive Bible Studies for individuals and small groups.